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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is strengthening efforts to promote the sale of Electric Vehicles with additional funding for a consumer rebate initiative and grants to encourage state agencies and local governments to purchase these zero emissions vehicles and install charging stations.

“With the Connecticut International Auto Show opening Friday at the Connecticut Convention Center, now is the perfect time to focus attention on the advantages offered by EVs,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “We’re doing just that by making an additional $1 million in funding available for a rebate program that’s putting money right back in the pocket of those who purchase an EV and making another $1 million in grants available to state agencies and cities and towns who want to purchase EVs for their fleets and install charging stations for public use.”

The Connecticut International Auto Show opens Friday, Nov. 20, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Opening ceremonies, featuring Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, will take place at 9:30 a.m. There will be several models of EVs on display at the show.

DEEP’s consumer rebate program program – known as the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate Program (CHEAPR) – provides a cash rebate of up to $3,000 for Connecticut residents, businesses, and municipalities who purchase or lease an eligible EV. EVs covered by CHEAPR include battery electric, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Rebates offered through the CHEAPR program are on a sliding scale, with the maximum $3,000 for those who purchase or lease an EV with the greatest battery capacity. Rebates of $1,500 and $750 will be provided for EVs that travel shorter distances on battery power. Full details are available
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The focus on charging stations – as well as sales of EVs – builds on DEEP’s efforts to develop a statewide, publicly available charging network.This network makes it possible to charge an EV anywhere in the state, making Connecticut the first “range confident” state in the nation.